multi-agent systems (mas) tom holvoet dept. computer science, kuleuven research group on distributed...
TRANSCRIPT
Multi-Agent Systems(MAS)
Tom HolvoetDept. Computer Science, KULeuvenResearch group on
Distributed Systems and Computer Networks
Topic 1: Introduction
background course material goals / contents / ... class sessions / practical work examination practical information course overview …
MAS course: objectives / content
MAS course
Software Engineering using Multi-Agent Systems
situate MAS in “mainstream software engineering”
mostly distributed software engineering just a few topics in this course, and even then, just fragments of these
topics
general perspective typical agent architectures interaction communication ant-like systems …
“Agents are 99% computer science, and 1% A.I.” (Etzioni)
MAS course: objectives / content
After this course, you should be able to…
Situate multi-agent systems in a software engineering perspective Judging the usefulness of a multi-agent system for distributed problem
solving Make well-founded decisions in defining multi-agent system software
architectures, including Agents Agent behavior architecture Coordination schemes
Message-based vs. envrironment-centric coordination
taking into account non-functional requirements of scalability, flexibility, adaptability
MAS prerequisites
object-oriented programming exercises terminology software development
basic terminology of distributed systems / AI
helps: software engineering in general
UP, requirements, analysis, OOD, design patterns
MAS: classes, exercises, practical work
officially: 19.5 hours lectures 10 hours exercise sessions
planning in practice: +- 7 lectures (1.5h)
“theory” discussion
4 exercise sessions (2.5h) PC lab sessions
Robrecht Haesevoets ([email protected])
MAS course material
transparencies – on-line
book/chapter/paper material
M. Wooldridge, “An Introduction to MultiAgent Systems”
(Wiley, 2002) detailed description background information exercises examples ...
C. Larman, Applying UML and Patterns, chapter 33 M. Wooldridge, Reasoning about Rational Agents, chapter 1-2 Bratman, Israel, Pollack, Plans and Resource-bounded Practical Reasoning Bonabeau, Dorigo, Theraulaz, Swarm Intelligence – From Natural to Artificial
Systems, chapter 1-2 Wooldridge, Jennings, Software Engineering with Agents: Pitfalls and Pratfalls …
MAS examination: project MAS project
“engineer a particular application using MAS” analysis / architecture / design make an implementation report
distribution of project description: April group of 2 students
write a comprehensive document (10-12 pages) prepare a short presentation / questions
exam: discuss your paper
Deadline Wednesday, June 6 16h00 submit at secretariat Computer Science and on-line time mgt … !!
MAS course website
“Toledo” / Blackboard http://toledo.kuleuven.be/
course material discussion forum interesting links project information questions / remarks / suggestions / ... ...
register !!
course ID: B-KUL-H02H4A
MAS course overview (tentative)
1. Introduction 2. Multi-Agent Systems
general / application domains / examples / … 3. Multi-Agent Systems in Software Engineering
position of MAS in UP 4. Agent Architectures
agent architecturesdeductive reasoning agents / practical reasoning agents / reactive agents / hybrid agents
multi-agent architectures 5. Communication
agent communication languages (ACLs) FIPA
6. Actions / Interactions / Cooperation action models interaction cooperation
7. Cooperative Distributed Problem Solving
8. Ant- / Swarm-based Systems emergence ACO
9. Coordination and Control Applications delegate MAS manufacturing control warehouse management
10. Conclusion Agent-Oriented Software Engineering methodologies pitfalls and pratfalls